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Community Educators Can Learn To Conduct New Parenting Program

LAS CRUCES - Community family educators across New Mexico can learn about a new program to help parents better communicate with adolescents during training June 27-28 at the Best Western Winrock Inn in Albuquerque.

The workshop will teach nurses, counselors, social workers and other family educators to conduct the "Can We Talk?" program, for parents of children in grades 4 to 8. The training is sponsored by New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service

"We know this adolescent stage is a difficult time for the children, and it's the time that parents need help in communicating with their kids," said program coordinator Marķa Samaniego with NMSU.

Samaniego said the workshop is for anyone working with families. Facilitators can take this training and add it to what they are already implementing in their communities, she said. "There are programs being used already which are targeted for children, but this program is for the parents, and can easily be added to what the educators are using now," she said.

The curriculum is divided into four classes. Parents learn to talk to their kids about self-esteem, puberty and sexuality, mixed messages and peer pressure.

"When it comes to health and sexuality, every family has its own values," Samaniego said. "This program helps parents develop skills to communicate their values clearly to their children."

Class will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. both days. For more information, contact Samaniego at (505) 646-3560 or at cwtcoordinator@hotmail.com.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the workshop, please contact Samaniego in advance.